Our bodies did not evolve on the diet/environment we live in...it's not that they stopped doing their job, its that they've been inundated with an amount of toxins that cannot be properly processed.

What toxins? What diets did our body evolve on? Greens, grains, meats, fruits, poultry, fish, etc. How about this, the liver is capable protecting the body from harsh compounds and alcohol, but isn't able to do it's job with diet and exercise? How about the kidneys? Detox's are a scam, the idea behind them is that your body isn't capable of doing it's job without help. Sure, if you have an illness that keeps your organs from doing their job then you may need help, but from a doctor not from a detox product.

I think a lot of detox products are scams, however I think the overall concept of detox is fairly well documented and having experienced it a few times, I believe it. As a species we are indeed swimming in chemical compounds that our bodies were never meant to deal with. Whatever the liver cannot deal with can get stored in cells and this too is detailed in the literature. Dr's are great, but generally only after something is already broken.

Lol...I stopped at "what toxins"....you need to read up my man. I'm not into detox products, but our bodies are full of toxins from the environment, processed food, our lifestyles...it is not the way the human race evolved to live. Not sure how else to explain it.

Originally Posted by chimeranD

What toxins? What diets did our body evolve on? Greens, grains, meats, fruits, poultry, fish, etc. How about this, the liver is capable protecting the body from harsh compounds and alcohol, but isn't able to do it's job with diet and exercise? How about the kidneys? Detox's are a scam, the idea behind them is that your body isn't capable of doing it's job without help. Sure, if you have an illness that keeps your organs from doing their job then you may need help, but from a doctor not from a detox product.

This is a debate that is chocked full of misunderstandings and misconceptions, and is one that is not likely to be determined absolute either way any time soon, if ever. My opinion is if you want to "detox" do whatever your heart desires. Just understand that detoxing can carry its own risks as well. So it's up to you if the risks of one out weigh the other. If you don't want to detox, then don't, but perhaps we are missing out on something. I personally do not detox and wouldn't. My goal is and has always been to eat a healthy diet and let my body do its job.

Lol...I stopped at "what toxins"....you need to read up my man. I'm not into detox products, but our bodies are full of toxins from the environment, processed food, our lifestyles...it is not the way the human race evolved to live. Not sure how else to explain it.

I simply asked what toxins are you talking about? You seem to know for a fact that toxins are filling our bodies but don't seem to be able to name any. When you start naming actual "toxins" that are found in our bodies that can't be removed by the organs designed to remove harmful compounds from our bodies then we'll talk.

Originally Posted by CopyCat

This is a debate that is chocked full of misunderstandings and misconceptions, and is one that is not likely to be determined absolute either way any time soon, if ever. My opinion is if you want to "detox" do whatever your heart desires. Just understand that detoxing can carry its own risks as well. So it's up to you if the risks of one out weigh the other. If you don't want to detox, then don't, but perhaps we are missing out on something. I personally do not detox and wouldn't. My goal is and has always been to eat a healthy diet and let my body do its job.

This. Haven't ever detoxed myself and feel great, healthy diet and exercise along with a balanced lifestyle is the key here.

This is a debate that is chocked full of misunderstandings and misconceptions, and is one that is not likely to be determined absolute either way any time soon, if ever. My opinion is if you want to "detox" do whatever your heart desires. Just understand that detoxing can carry its own risks as well. So it's up to you if the risks of one out weigh the other. If you don't want to detox, then don't, but perhaps we are missing out on something. I personally do not detox and wouldn't. My goal is and has always been to eat a healthy diet and let my body do its job.

This is word for word how I feel. I have never felt the need to detox and I think most of the protocol for them comes from supplement manufacturers trying to sell supps. I feel great pretty much all the time and like you mentioned sometimes people cause problems by detoxing.

That said I'm not 100% saying they have no merit as it isn't something I've put in enough research to be fully satisfied with.

This is word for word how I feel. I have never felt the need to detox and I think most of the protocol for them comes from supplement manufacturers trying to sell supps. I feel great pretty much all the time and like you mentioned sometimes people cause problems by detoxing.

That said I'm not 100% saying they have no merit as it isn't something I've put in enough research to be fully satisfied with.

For one I think people have misconceptions with the term " toxins" and often people don't understand free radicals, how they are created/discarded and such. Not saying anyone in particular by the way, just generalizing.

I am a long time faster. The best detox in the world is a water fast. Period. Avoid caffeine. Avoid food. Try it for 36 hours. It is tough! The benefits are incredible!!!!! Pound like 4-5 gallons and you will be cleaned out! After the water fast...edge your way into things with 2 days of fruits and vegetables and then slowly add in protein sources on days 4 & 5 and by day 6 you should be ready to continue your normal diet!

What toxins? What diets did our body evolve on? Greens, grains, meats, fruits, poultry, fish, etc. How about this, the liver is capable protecting the body from harsh compounds and alcohol, but isn't able to do it's job with diet and exercise? How about the kidneys? Detox's are a scam, the idea behind them is that your body isn't capable of doing it's job without help. Sure, if you have an illness that keeps your organs from doing their job then you may need help, but from a doctor not from a detox product.

Probably the most ignorant post I've read in a good while. The amount of toxins in our environment is much higher and you can see this with the skyrocketing disease rates. Autism all time high, cancer runs rampant. Just because the body is resilient doesn't mean we shouldn't try to make it healthier and more efficient.

Probably the most ignorant post I've read in a good while. The amount of toxins in our environment is much higher and you can see this with the skyrocketing disease rates. Autism all time high, cancer runs rampant. Just because the body is resilient doesn't mean we shouldn't try to make it healthier and more efficient.

I'm not going to attempt to refute the "amount of toxins higher" but where is the proof that any of these diets make you healthier? We don't have any medical studies that I know of that prove detox diets work or are even necessary. Sky rocketing disease rates? We LIVE longer than at any other time in history. Of course some of these rates are higher, we aren't dying at age 40 anymore. And I'd love to see a study where detox diets have anything to do with autism.

"Our bodies are remarkable systems that filter out toxins on an ongoing basis. The organs responsible for detoxification are the liver, lungs, kidneys, and skin. When nutrients and other substances first enter the body the first place they go is the liver, which filters out and eliminates harmful toxins such as drugs and alcohol. Additionally, the kidneys filter out wastes by creating urine for excretion. The skin allows us to sweat out toxins, and the lungs allow us to filter the air that we breathe.

Since our bodies are primarily water—around 70%—it makes sense that staying hydrated through drinking adequate amounts of water also helps us stay healthy. However, to date there is no scientific evidence to support the idea that water flushes out toxins."

And that was with a 2 second google search. At the very least I'd say the "need" is quite debatable. Some of the detox diets seem much harder on the system than clean eating would be! You could be right, but I think either side assuming 100% victory here is a bit disingenuous.

While I concur with some of this, I am also a bit paranoid with respect to all the crap we bodybuilders ingest often replacing healthy foods with too much protein and taking all sorts of MISC herbs/supps that MAY contain toxic heavy metals and garbage etc.

Additionally, the stresses of life alone ramp up toxic processes in the body. Then there's the fact wer live in a filthy world full of pollution, and eat food devoid of nutrition (the soil is depleted, animals are mass-produced and using hortmones, fruits and veggies are sprayed with nasty chemicals, etc) amongst many other variables.

So, I can appreciate some of the others' sentiment in this thread as a result. I do think that programs that detox are overkill.

Originally Posted by chimeranD

Did the kidneys and liver stop doing the job that they were designed to do? Your body detoxes itself, probiotics and antioxidants are great but you don't need specific detox products, they're a scam.

Originally Posted by chimeranD

What toxins? What diets did our body evolve on? Greens, grains, meats, fruits, poultry, fish, etc. How about this, the liver is capable protecting the body from harsh compounds and alcohol, but isn't able to do it's job with diet and exercise? How about the kidneys? Detox's are a scam, the idea behind them is that your body isn't capable of doing it's job without help. Sure, if you have an illness that keeps your organs from doing their job then you may need help, but from a doctor not from a detox product.

I'm with Geo in that many of this is science-less and riddled with people economizing off the desperate and uneducated.

A-Minds HYPE-SLAYER! All posts & feedback are guaranteed to be unsolicited and legit
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Fools despise wisdom & instruction"Proverbs 1:7

Probably the most ignorant post I've read in a good while. The amount of toxins in our environment is much higher and you can see this with the skyrocketing disease rates. Autism all time high, cancer runs rampant. Just because the body is resilient doesn't mean we shouldn't try to make it healthier and more efficient.

Who's to say it's not diet, or lifestyle, or many genetic factors and people being in such high proximity to each other causing it? The fact is, we don't know what causes these in such high amounts, and detoxing may not do anything besides hurt your body worse. I'm still going to firmly believe in a good diet rich in fruits and vegetables along with whatever else I need. Been doing that for some time and never felt better, why bother going on a specific diet that isn't going to do anything that my diet isn't already?

Originally Posted by Whacked

While I concur with some of this, I am also a bit paranoid with respect to all the crap we bodybuilders ingest often replacing healthy foods with too much protein and taking all sorts of MISC herbs/supps that MAY contain toxic heavy metals and garbage etc.

At the end of the day, for every article proposing a benefit of said eating style, you'll have an opposing view also "backed by science" LOL

Can't win.

Originally Posted by chimeranD

Did the kidneys and liver stop doing the job that they were designed to do? Your body detoxes itself, probiotics and antioxidants are great but you don't need specific detox products, they're a scam.

Originally Posted by chimeranD

Who's to say it's not diet, or lifestyle, or many genetic factors and people being in such high proximity to each other causing it? The fact is, we don't know what causes these in such high amounts, and detoxing may not do anything besides hurt your body worse. I'm still going to firmly believe in a good diet rich in fruits and vegetables along with whatever else I need. Been doing that for some time and never felt better, why bother going on a specific diet that isn't going to do anything that my diet isn't already?

A-Minds HYPE-SLAYER! All posts & feedback are guaranteed to be unsolicited and legit
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Fools despise wisdom & instruction"Proverbs 1:7

Probably the most ignorant post I've read in a good while. The amount of toxins in our environment is much higher and you can see this with the skyrocketing disease rates. Autism all time high, cancer runs rampant. Just because the body is resilient doesn't mean we shouldn't try to make it healthier and more efficient.

Thank you...was beginning to think I was the only one who knew this around here lol

I'm not into "DETOX" products per se...but alkalizing vegetables, clean water sources, etc. etc. are the detox I refer to. For those who think that there aren't a ridiculous amount of toxins being exposed to our systems compared to 50 or 100, or 1000 years ago...you should keep reading.

Originally Posted by bioman

Well, it's settled then. Someone Googled something. lol

LOL...I'd rep you again if I could. I should back down I guess, no way I can compete with such depths of knowledge

Clearly this doesn't refute anything. On the contrary I was saying it's far from settled. I don't think anyone yet has given a good reason for why we need to detox, and more importantly what detox diet to follow and why to follow this specific diet. I came into this thread thinking "never really been pointed to a good reason why I need to do this" and I haven't changed my mind yet. I'm more than willing to once someone can say something a bit more convincing than "the toxins bro!"

Do you make a habit of waiting around for others to educate you and change your mind?

I've been always been a fan of educating myself, taking others opinions/knowledge into account, and forming a stance based on that. I think you need to be more proactive, I dont have the time to help you out much...but there's a wealth of knowledge just a few clicks away my friend.

Originally Posted by Geoforce

Clearly this doesn't refute anything. On the contrary I was saying it's far from settled. I don't think anyone yet has given a good reason for why we need to detox, and more importantly what detox diet to follow and why to follow this specific diet. I came into this thread thinking "never really been pointed to a good reason why I need to do this" and I haven't changed my mind yet. I'm more than willing to once someone can say something a bit more convincing than "the toxins bro!"

Do you make a habit of waiting around for others to educate you and change your mind?

I've been always been a fan of educating myself, taking others opinions/knowledge into account, and forming a stance based on that. I think you need to be more proactive, I dont have the time to help you out much...but there's a wealth of knowledge just a few clicks away my friend.

I make a habit of taking an open mind into any discussion. I've changed my mind often throughout the iron game on many former truths: I need meals every few hours, need casein protein before bed, need lots of carbs post-workout, etc. Honestly if something doesn't interest me I don't educate myself on it that much. I have no desire to be a detox expert and from the looks of this thread so far few people in it are either. What I've read about detox stuff so far I haven't been convinced. Most of the testimony seems to come from supplement sellers that I've seen.

I educate myself largely by looking for studies on things. Anecdotal evidence is ok for some things, but for a detox diet probably not so much IMO. As best as I've seen so far few studies exist. I'm not waiting on someone to change my mind, if no one does then no one does and I'll feel the exact same way I always did about them. The stuff I mentioned earlier people on forums or through my own reading changed my mind. I'm not going to search for a ton of reasons why detox diets are necessary and so far I can't find studies that say they do. If someone drops a knowledge bomb on me I'll research what they said and see if it has validity. But right now I'm limited to "you know how many toxins are out there!"

FWIW I think a huge difference exists between what you talk about in terms of clean water and alkalizing vegetables and the lay persons supplement based detox diet wonder. Many of the "master cleanse, super flush, etc" seem to be carrying some pretty significant side effects and I don't think it's wrong to wonder if people are doing more harm than good. Again, from what I've read I've yet to see scientific evidence that our bodies are loaded with toxins we can't purge on our own and that we need to take drastic steps or else we're screwed. I can't educate myself into finding scientific studies that say this yet